U.S. Connecticut Field Project
The Connecticut Marine Conservation Agreement (MCA) field project presents an example of a private individual securing a lease from the state for intertidal and subtidal lands in order to undertake an oyster restoration project.
Neck River Shellfish Restoration
In cooperation with the Madison Shellfish Commission, Steve Nikituk has converted his commercial shellfish lease in the Neck River into an oyster restoration project. In 1998 and 1999, most of the oysters in the Neck River were killed off by dermo and MSX (two parasitic diseases). In 2002, Nikituk, a retiree, was granted a lease for a half-mile stretch of the Neck River, which he hoped to use to restore oysters to the river. The lease was for five years, with the option of renewing for five more.
As he became more involved in the project, he also became more involved in the Madison Shellfish Commission, which he now serves as Chairman. Nikituk eventually decided to turn over management of his lease to the Commission, which currently maintains it as a shellfish grow-out area and sanctuary.
The Madison Shellfish Commission grants licenses and leases to private parties for commercial and recreational harvesting of shellfish in the town of Madison, Connecticut. The Neck River is not open to public harvest, as E. coli levels are high enough to classify it at a “restrictive relay” area. Instead, leases are given on two stretches of the river and oysters harvested from the leases are transferred to a depuration plant for cleansing. Areas of the town’s shore on Long Island Sound are open for public harvest.
The restoration project is centered on using upweller technology to rapidly grow out oyster “seed,” which is then placed on freshly cleaned and shell-lined river bottom to establish oyster reefs. The resultant reefs will benefit surrounding areas of the river with the natural dispersion of healthy, disease-resistant oyster larvae. The last two years have seen promising sets of oysters in the river, both on Nikituk’s lease and on the remaining commercial lease in town. Nikituk and the Madison Shellfish Commission have worked extensively with local commercial fishermen on this project, with the fisherman providing support, knowledge, and technical expertise.
Leased section of Neck River, Madison, CT (approximately half mile of creek bed). Image courtesy Europa Technologies
The Madison Shellfish Commission has been working for several years to reintroduce shellfishing throughout the town, including public outreach events such as family shellfishing days in which recreational clamming is encouraged.1 The Commission is experimenting with using the upweller on Nikituk’s lease to grow out hardshell clams to be released on the Long Island Sound side of the town, and has applied for an aquaculture permit to do grow-out in cages on the sound bottom.
Connecticut has a 16 million dollar per year shellfish industry, with more than 50 enterprises producing shellfish.2 The state has been strongly supportive of oyster aquaculture, leasing submerged land, and assisting in planting culch (or clean oyster shell).3
Transaction Summary
| Lease | 1 |
| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 hectares) |
| Resource | Tidal river bottom {intertidal and subtidal} |
| Dates/duration | 2002-2012; 5 yrs with additional 5 yr option |
| Fee/price | $50/yr |
| Location | Neck River, from northward bend to Bailey Creek |
| Use | Oyster restoration |
| Grantor(s) | Madison Shellfish Commission |
| Grantee(s) | Steve Nikituk |
Lessons Learned
- The learning curve on oyster restoration is steep.
- Permitting through state agencies for structures such as floating ramps and docks is lengthy and protracted.
- It can take a considerable amount of time to see results from a restoration project, which needs to be taken into consideration if there are stipulations on the lease.
Cost Summary
Tending the shellfish lease. Photo ©
Steve Nikituk.
| Activity | Cost | Notes |
| Equipment, electricity, labor | $22,300 | |
| Lease Payment | $50 | $50/yr + $1/bushel of oysters harvested |
Funding Sources
- Madison Shellfish Commission (see below)
- Agriculture Viability Grant
Lead Organization
Steve Nikituk, Chairman
Madison Shellfish Commission
Madison Town Hall
8 Campus Drive
Madison, CT 06443
Tel: 203-245-3781
Email: stnikituk@comcast.net
Partners
Madison Shellfish Commission (see below)
Authorizing Agencies
Madison Shellfish Commission
Madison Town Hall
8 Campus Drive
Madison, CT 06443
Bureau of Aquaculture and Laboratory Services
Connecticut Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 97
Milford, CT 06460
Tel: 203-874-0696
Fax: 203-783-9976
Email: dept.agric@snet.net
Documents
- Grant Application Cover Sheet (download .pdf, 47k)
- Grant Application Detailed Proposal (download .pdf, 31k)
- Madison Shellfish Commission Designation Agreement (lease) (download .pdf, 3,448k)
Publications
None
See also
The Bureau of Aquaculture in the Connecticut Department of Agriculture oversees leasing oyster and clam grounds and has a Shellfish Habitat Management and Restoration program.
Connecticut Economic Resources Center, Inc. Description of the Agriculture Viability Grants Program.
1 “Shellfishing Coastal Connecticut,” Connecticut Fishing Tips and News, 11/24/2005. Viewed at Web site, 4/12/2007.
2 “Extension Aquaculture,” Connecticut Sea Grant College Program, University of Connecticut, last updated 11/30/2006. Viewed at Web site, 4/12/2007.
3 John Volk, Director, Connecticut Bureau of Aquaculture, quoted in “Farming the Sound,” Simonpure Documentaries.